F115 winterizing/spark plugs

[wildcat99]

OK, I know winterizing has been beat to death but.....I've decided not to fog my '05 Yamaha F115 4-stroke because a buddy I know and trust said don't do it, it only makes it a headache to start in the spring. We have no ethanol in our gas and I've run fresh gas and stabilizer through the motor, cleaned the fuel/water separator filter, changed engine oil, lower unit oil, etc.

I was however, thinking about pulling the plugs and spraying either WD40 or fogging oil in the holes, pulling the kill switch and turning it over a few times to distribute, then put the plugs back in before winter. Is this necessary or will it cause problems?

Opinions? What do you do to winterize your four stroke?

Thanks!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

Move to Florida..then you won't have that problem....

Seriously, what does your manual say? I have those motors and they get run a lot, but after sitting up for about three months due to surgery, I fretted over starting them. Piece of cake, they never skipped a beat. I have about 140 hrs on the plugs, I have converted to synthetic oil (Castrol Syntec) and change my fuel/water separators once a year.
I would be wary of pulling and replacing plugs more often than necessary. I would make sure my lower unit oil hasn't suffered any water intrusion that could freeze and crack the LU. I hear removing the washout port will help to vent all water from the block.

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

The most effective way I have always done it is to add about 1 1/2 ounces of TCW-3 two stroke oil (this is the way Mercruiser suggests to their winterization for their MPI's) I figure what is good for the goose is good for the gander, never had any problems with it, oil tends to lube injectors etc, and will coat the cylinder walls enough to get you through the season. I usally add the oil to the inline filter on the engine and run it for about 8-10 minutes, this with stabilized gas will preserve your gas. And stay away from ethanol gas treatments, their is nothing you can do to treat alchohol were stuck with it. If you are concerned about checking the amount of ethanol in your fuel Contact your local Briggs and Stratton shop and ask for part number 100023. I think this is an old number but the shop should be able to supercede it with their computer. Pretty easy to use, uses theory of phase seperation with water and has graduated marks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

your buddy is an idiot and the last post is meaningless.
winterizing an outboard has nothing to do with cold.
its all about preserving the shiney parts and the fuel system.
but hey, its your rig and us poor techs really need the money come spring.
and that is NOT the way merc suggests to treat an MPI engine.
DonS posted it here for us on the yamaha forums.

 

[wildcat99]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

#@*% rodbolt, you changed my mind again...I've decided to fog my Yamaha this winter (since moving to FL and boating year-round is not an option)

I wasn't too crazy about spraying that foamy, fogging oil into the intakes like the yamaha manual says, and wasn't aware of this other fogging method for 4-stroke outboards. Below is the thread where DonS posted the mixture/method for reference:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=447624

For the fogging mixture, can I substitute marine Stabil and Valvoline TCW3 2-stroke oil for the Mercury products listed?

Thanks for your help!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

yes.
also if you do some math you can lower the remote tank volume.
we mix 6 gallons at a time at the shop cause we burn through it when the winterizing season sets in hard, typically the day before the first forcast night below 28*.
then everyone remembers they had a boat.
winterizeing,especially an outboard, isnt so much protecting just from freezing but protecting all them thar nice shiney machined surfaces in the engine and protecting all the parts in the fuel system'

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

your buddy is an idiot and the last post is meaningless.
winterizing an outboard has nothing to do with cold.
its all about preserving the shiney parts and the fuel system.
but hey, its your rig and us poor techs really need the money come spring.
and that is NOT the way merc suggests to treat an MPI engine.
DonS posted it here for us on the yamaha forums.

Yes it is, reference page 1B-29 Service manual 90-863161 (496/8.1)

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

your buddy is an idiot and the last post is meaningless.
winterizing an outboard has nothing to do with cold.
its all about preserving the shiney parts and the fuel system.
but hey, its your rig and us poor techs really need the money come spring.
and that is NOT the way merc suggests to treat an MPI engine.
DonS posted it here for us on the yamaha forums.

Yes it is reference page 1B-46 Service manual 90-861326-1 7.4/8.2 MPI

 

[rodbolt]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

here we go folks an MMI grad with a years shop experience.
I will try to get DonS to post the EFI fogging mix as a locked sticky on this forum and ask him to modify it slightly.
I can see some good times come spring.
.
use the mix DonS posted and it works year after year.
dump a couple OZ of TCW-3 oil in your water seperator and run it ten minutes and you wasted some oil.
the 7.4 and the 8.1 will move twice the fuel in 10 min as an F225 or F150.

 

[wildcat99]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

Is the fuel line that hooks to the water separator 5/16 or 3/8 on a '05 Yamaha F115 TLRD? I need to round up a portable tank, fittings, primer bulb, hose and hopefully get this done tonight.

Thanks for your help.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

on the water seperator, all bets are OFF.
the water seperator was, maybe if its there, installed by the rigger.
the cup on the lower port side of the engine is 8mm or roughly 5/16ths.
treat the fuel in the tank with the normal stabilizer you like according to the instructions on the bottle.
do the engine just like the post DonS made.
if ya cant find that post, post back and Ill PM DonS.

 

[wildcat99]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

the cup on the lower port side of the engine is 8mm or roughly 5/16ths.

Thanks, this is what I was referring to as the "water separator", but after looking at my Yamaha manual I guess it's actually the fuel filter cup and housing. This is where I plan to hook up the remote tank with fogging mix. I don't have any other rigger installed water separator.

I have the DonS bulletin printed out and it says to connect to the inlet of the Water Separating Fuel Filter.

Let me know if I'm still thinking this through correctly. I've got a few days now since my remote tank won't be in til Monday.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

yep, unplug the fuel inlet to the engine filter if no hull water seperating filter is installed, run the engine with a good water supply, or better backed overboard,with the fogging mix for about 15 min.
this will aid in keeping corrosion down and treat the fuel in the VST,rail and injectors.

install a hull mounted 10 micron fuel water seperator over the winter.

 

[codycuster]

Re: F115 winterizing/spark plugs

Is there any reason I can not use this procedure on my T9.9 kicker???

Cody